DISEASES OF PLANTS. 365 



l)nr<r and I^aldwin the Iosh wuh 0.4 bn. ; with Tompkins Kin^r, 1^ bu. ; and with 

 Rhode Island (ireening, l^ bu. In some cases the spraying in l)loom thinned the 

 fruit and the thiiniing tlone seemed to produce results somewhat similar to those 

 produced when the young fruit is thinned by hand, that is, the total yield is slightly 

 decreased, but the amount of marketable fruit is not in any way diminished. Other 

 experiments gave contradictory results, and further tests are needed to establish a 

 safe general conclusion on this point. 



Fruit setting of sprayed, blossoms, F. H. Hall, S. A. Beach, and L. H. Bailey 

 (New York State Stit. Bui. 19'!, piqmlar ed., pp. 15, ]>!. 1, _%.s. 6'). — A popular summaiy 

 of the above bulletin. 



An experience with, pear bligM, D. R. Pease (Rural Xew Yorker, 60 (1901), 

 No. 2671, i>p. ^.'V>, -.^46). — The author recounts his experience in attempting to com- 

 bat the bacterial blight of pears and quinces. Various methods were unsuccessfully 

 tried, but beginning with 1898 sulphur and a wash of lime and sulphur were 

 thoroughly applied to the l^ark of the trees while in the dormant condition, or sprayed 

 upon the trees when the life began to make its first appearance. The author believes 

 that this application, made just before the blossoms appeared, prevented the appear- 

 ance of blight in his jiear orchard during the season of 1900. A considerable differ- 

 ence in susceptil)ility to disease was noted for different varieties of pears and quinces. 

 Among the pears the most seriously injured were the Louise Bonne and Bartlett. 

 Seckel was very little affected. The Orange quince trees were nearly all destroyed, 

 while Rca was 1)ut slightly damaged. 



Concerning' apricot diseases, R. Farxeti (Atti List. Bot. Univ. Pavia, 2. ser., 7 

 (1900), pp. 9; ahs. in Bot. CentbL, 85 (1901), No. 12, pp. 405, 406). — Descriptions are 

 given of 3 new species of fungi which have been observed on the ripe or ripening 

 fruit of the apricot. The first, to which the name Stigmina briosiana is given, pro- 

 duces small spots 1 to 2 mm. in diameter upon the fruit. The flesh of the spot dries 

 and the fruit becomes bitter. The other fungi observed on the plant, which are con- 

 cerned to some extent in causing a rot, are Phi//losticta arinenicula and Phoma iny.rse. 



Chlorosis of fruit trees in calcareous soils, H. Dauthexay (i?ec. Ilort., 73(1901), 

 No. 2, pp. 50, 51). — The occurrence of chlorosis on fruit trees in calcareous soils is 

 said to be quite conunon wherever for any reason the nutritive elements of the soil 

 become unassimilable to the tree. The use of sulphate of iron for preventing this 

 disease gives partial relief and, according to the author, it acts upon the lime, chang- 

 ing its form. This treatment alone is not sufficient, but should be supplemented by 

 the use of proper fertilizers. 



The deterioration of passion vines and fruit, W. J. Allen (Agr. Gaz. New 

 South WdlcK, 12 (1901), No. 2, pp. 248-250, pU. 2).— Thii^irmi, which is cultivated to a 

 considerable extent in Australia, is subject to a disease which during the past season 

 has occasioned considerable loss. The disease is cliaracterized l)y a thickening and 

 hardening of the rind, and only a small portion of the fruit develops properly, most 

 fruits being undersized, contorted, and with little or no pulp. The disease seems to 

 make its appearance soon after the fruit has set, and the vines appear stunted, their 

 leaves being greatly reduced in size. Various causes are attributed as possible agents 

 for the production of this disease, among them improper fertilizers, insufficient 

 moisture, irrational planting, and fungus disease. Examinations of stalks and 

 leaves of diseased plants have shown the presence of an undetermined fungus, but 

 Avhether it is the primary cause of the disease or not remains to be ascertained. 



Some experiments in combating grape mildew, B. Chaizit (Rev. Vit., 15 

 (1901), No. 382, })]). 41'', 420). — During the preceding season experiments were con- 

 ducted at the departmental experimental fields of Nimes for the prevention of the 

 downy mildew of the grape. Different lots were sprayed with Bordeaux mixture of 

 different strengths. Burgundy mixture, solutions containing cadmium, zinc, etc., as 

 well as applications of different forms of powders. The results obtained by experi- 



